SD35. Elizabeth Plummer to Elizabeth Barrett Williams
Published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 1, 305 (in part).
Mesopotamia Westmd
Octr 13th 1800.–
My beloved Mama,
Many thanks to you for your very affectionate letter; at every expression of fondness, my heart glow’d with gratitude; I hope my future conduct will convince my dearest Mama of my affection and filial tenderness– You cannot be more anxious than myself for our meeting, I suppose it will be in about 3½ years but the time will seem as so many ages– The love you express for my Children is equally gratifying to me.– I am glad you have found a situation that will suit, & hope you will experience every pleasure in your new habitation. When you wish me to change your direction you will let me know what other place I must address my letters to—as I understand there has been a little fracas between you & Mr Plummer.– Sarah told me of her Admirer Wm Foster—but I am confident from her letter she does not like him.– She will do well to wait until she has made a larger acquaintance from which she may take her choice.– Concerning the Children. H.W.P’s opinion is this. That Sam & Richard ought to have at this time £200 Stg pr annum each until they are 17 or 18, or when they go to College, & then £400 each. That £100 pr annum each for Edward & George until they are 12 sufficient—then £200 till they are 17 or 18 & Doctors bill extra– Sam & Richd he thinks have a right to a College education because they will have very good fortunes– Edwd & George, he does not know. £10,000 is something very pretty, but perhaps not sufficient to warrant an expensive education.– In his opinion Richd has an equal right to a maintenance as all the others, but his single voice would have no weight, & he advises your not trusting |Js| Scarlett in any thing but to get your own lawyer & council’s opinion & abide by the Chancellor’s decision.– You must be sensible that if Scarlett goes to him first (I dont know what his motives may be) that he will misrepresent things, inform him of some & conceal other parts of the will & perhaps misrepresent Aunt Lawrence’s will, and owing to false lights thrown out by Scarlett, that the Chancellor might give it against you whereas if he heard your side first he might think you in the right & decree that Richd should receive his share.– If they say Richd has a right—you ought to receive £600 for the 4. now—& if not £500.– The reason Scarlett says the Epsom house belongs to Richd is that my Uncle’s will leaves the land & Negroes that belonged to Mrs L. to Richd & that includes the Epsom house but that nobody can receive the rent unless you qualify or Tom W—here, & you receive it in England in his name which you had better lose no time in doing.– The Cattle & plate dont go to Richd as the will simply mentions land & Negroes—& they are personal[i]ties– Aunt P. has written you fully on this subject.– Tom has recd £1200 for only lancewood spars for– Richard besides negroe hire.– When I think what anxiety I have undergone for Henry I can never be sufficiently grateful for your care of me ever since I was born[.] He has indeed been very ill, but is now quite well– Altho’ they had both been inoculated 4 different times in 3 weeks no eruption appear’d till the end of the 4th week. The 3d week he had a fever for 4 days without intermission which must have been occasioned by worms as he has passed several since, even the day after he had fits– I have written particulars to Sarah, who will no doubt tell you.– Believe me my beloved Mama’s
Most dutiful Daughter
Eliza Plummer.–
Address, on integral page: Mrs E. B. Williams / care of Messrs Plummer & Barham / London.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Eton College Library.
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